One of my favorite quotes of all times is: “We accept the love we think we deserve.” I believe that applies to all aspects of our lives. I became a writer because I truly believe I deserve it, I spent my entire life dreaming of becoming a writer. I’m honestly in love with what I do, even though writing isn’t solely what I do at work now. You know that rush you get when you fall in love? It’s the same rush I get while I’m writing. My job is what helped me get over hard times, it boosted my confidence and helped me fall in love with myself, but that makes me wonder, is loving my job really enough?
I sometimes ask myself, what if I get offered a better job with better pay, would I give up doing what I love for it? I’m convinced that when you’re heading into the unknown, desire is all-important. You simply want to be doing something that you love, or something that is logically going to lead to something you love, in order to do your best work. That desire will make you more creative and more resourceful, and will help you get further, much faster.
But let’s be real, none of this guarantees wealth, or even financial success. If doing what you love isn’t paying the bills for you, then you should probably look for another job that does. That does not mean you give up on what you love, but don’t solely depend on it. As they say, money can’t buy you love, and love can’t buy you money either. For example, if you’re an artist and you’re not making money out of it, find a job that can fulfill the money aspect in your life.
Yes, having passions, interests, and big dreams is encouraged. But, finding what you love is only half the equation. You need to be able to make a living doing it. Real-life pressures require us to pursue opportunities that are able to provide us with a decent and comfortable standard of living. So, while you may have crossed “identifying what you love” off your to-do list—you’re also probably well aware that love doesn’t pay the bills.
